Chapter 55 – Luminescent Water

The liquid on Keanu's blades pulsed with an inner light, seeming to defy gravity as it clung to the metal. 

Small droplets of the glowing water floated in the air around him. 

"Be ready!" Keanu shouted.

Talia watched in awe as Keanu began to move in a strange dance. 

He stepped hard on the ground, eliciting a rumble akin to thunderclap. 

Then, the glowing water responded, stretching and flowing in tune with the rhythm. 

As Keanu's daggers sliced through the air, something extraordinary happened. 

The luminescent water extended beyond the blades, forming long, glowing tendrils that whipped through the air.

These watery extensions lashed out at the surrounding Slashing Crusters so fast that none of the monsters managed to dodge them.

However, unlike Talia’s attacks, these tendrils didn’t penetrate the monsters’ shells. 

Talia watched in amazement as the glowing tendrils wrapped around the nearest Cruster, binding its limbs to its body. 

The creature thrashed and screeched, but the luminescent bonds held firm, restricting its movement entirely. 

What was even more astonishing was that the bindings didn't stop there.

From the restrained Cruster, new tendrils of luminescent water began to emerge. 

These secondary bindings shot out towards other nearby Crusters, ensnaring them in a rapidly expanding web of glowing restraints. 

It was as if Keanu's initial attacks had set off a chain reaction, his power multiplying and spreading of its own accord.

As the luminescent tendrils continued to spread, Talia noticed something peculiar about their movement. 

It wasn't just random expansion; there was a pattern to it. 

The glowing water seemed to be tracing invisible lines of force in the air and sand, following some hidden geometry that only Keanu could perceive.

The Slashing Crusters, caught in this expanding network, began to emit high-pitched, distressed sounds. 

Their blade-like appendages slashed frantically at the air, but the luminescent bonds simply flowed around the attacks, reforming instantly when cut.

"Talia!" Keanu called out, his voice clear and strong, showing no signs of strain despite the incredible display of power. "Start taking them down! I'll keep them restrained!"

Shaking off her shock, Talia gripped her glaive tightly. 

Keanu's mesmerizing dance continued in the meanwhile: iis movements bound more and Slashing Crusters, creating a growing network of luminescent restraints all around them. 

Seeing the Crusters immobilized, Talia felt a surge of confidence. 

She closed her eyes for a brief moment, reaching deep within herself for the technique that had eluded her earlier. 

This time, with the immediate danger held at bay by Keanu's attacks, she found it easier to focus.

Talia felt the familiar tingle of energy as her Mana Crystalization began to form around her glaive. 

The weapon's blade took on a crystalline sheen, the mana hardening into a razor-sharp edge that glinted in the moonlight and the glow from Keanu's water.

She could feel the power humming through the blade, resonating.

With her weapon empowered, Talia charged towards the nearest bound Cruster. 

The creature thrashed against its luminescent restraints, but to no avail. 

Talia's crystalized blade sliced through its carapace with ease, cleaving the monster in two.

As the first Cruster fell, Talia noticed something new happening around them. 

Golden ropes of Luminescent Water began to shoot up from the sand itself, wrapping around the legs and bodies of the remaining Crusters and even the ones that had charged at them after being startled by the luciferous display put on by Keanu. 

These new bonds tightened relentlessly, further restricting the creatures' movements until they were almost completely immobilized.

"Keanu!" Talia called out as she mowed down one Slashing Cruster after the other. "This is incredible! How are you doing this?"

Keanu's response came easily, his breath steady and his movements fluid. 

“This is the true nature of Luminescent Water," he laughed. "It’s not just weapon enhancement. I am a battlefield control specialist! I told you I had to wait to reveal my secrets!"

Talia was stunned by Keanu’s control of the battlefield as she continued to dispatch the bound Abyssal Creatures. 

Each swing of her glaive felt effortless now, the Mana Crystallization allowing her to cut through the monsters' tough shells as if they were made of paper.

[You have slain Slashing Cruster Level 9!]

As the battle continued, the network of luminescent bindings grew more complex and widespread. 

Crusters that had been approaching from a distance suddenly found themselves ensnared by tendrils of glowing water that erupted from the sand beneath their feet. 

The bound Crusters looked like strange, angular sculptures frozen in a dance of light.

It was as if the entire beach had become an extension of Keanu's spell.

Soon, without even expending too much energy, Keanu had allowed her to kill thirty something Slashing Crusters in less than twenty minutes. 

Talia stood amidst the fallen monsters, her chest heaving with exertion but her mind crystal clear thanks to the bursts of [Blood Siphon] she had used in-between kills.

"Keanu," she said, her voice filled with awe and a hint of envy, "you don't even look tired. How is that possible?"

Keanu's luminescent bindings began to dissipate, sinking back into the sand or evaporating into mist. He sheathed his daggers, the glow fading from his arms as he did so. "Luminescent Water, when properly controlled, can be incredibly efficient," he explained. "It takes very little energy to maintain once it's set in motion."

As the adrenaline of the battle began to fade, Talia took a moment to appreciate the aftermath of their fight. 

The beach, littered with the fallen forms of Slashing Crusters

She was beyond impressed.

As the adrenaline of the battle began to fade, Talia took a moment to appreciate the result of it. 

The beach was littered with the fallen forms of Slashing Crusters.

Keanu’s abilities are insane, Talia thought. I could have never done this alone.

Or at least not using her normal abilities. 

If she had been able to summon Dark Water, perhaps… 

She felt a surge of pride at how effectively they had handled the monsters.

But then, she felt a weird energy around the beach caressing her skin. 

“Gimme a second,” Talia told Keanu, focusing on the sensation and activated [Eyes of the Abyss].

The Mana on the beach felt strangely concentrated. 

Through her Skill, it looked like a thick fog clinging to the sand. 

It was different from the normal ambient Mana she was used to feeling.

"Keanu," she said, turning to her companion, "do you feel that? The Mana here seems... off."

Keanu frowned, focusing for a moment before nodding. 

"Maybe? It is much denser than it was in the city," he said, frowning. “I do have a Skill that perceives Mana.” 

Talia began to walk along the beach, following the trail of concentrated Mana. 

The moonlight cast long shadows across the sand.

The beach gradually gave way to scrubby grass and small dunes. 

In the distance, Talia could make out a series of low hills silhouetted against the night sky. 

The Mana trail led directly towards them.

"I think we should check out those hills," Talia said, pointing. "I've got a hunch about this."

Keanu looked uncertain. "Are you sure? We're supposed to be resting for tomorrow."

Talia hesitated. 

"This feels important. It reminds me of something I felt once before."

“What?” Keanu frowned.

“I’d rather not say before I confirm it… but…” 

She looked at the sandy hills and bit her lower lip. 

"There's definitely something fishy going on here," Talia muttered, scanning the hillside. "It's like the Mana is being drawn to this spot. Let’s get back. I’d feel better doing this with some light, actually. Plus, if I’m wrong and we waste all night here and don’t come back in time, we might get ourselves expelled.”